I am a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Ice Dynamics and Palaeoclimate Team at the British Antarctic Survey. My research combines applied mathematics, continuum mechanics and numerical modelling to understand how glaciers and ice shelves deform and fracture, and how these processes influence future sea-level rise.

My work focuses on developing mathematical models that describe the mechanical behaviour of glacier ice across a wide range of timescales, from the slow viscous flow of ice over centuries to the rapid formation and propagation of fractures that lead to iceberg calving. I am particularly interested in developing physically based models of fracture in ice shelves and applying advanced numerical methods to improve predictions of ice-sheet stability in a warming climate.

Before joining BAS, I completed a PhD in Applied Mathematics at the University of Leeds, where I investigated how the orientation of ice crystals influences the large-scale flow of glaciers and ice sheets. I then held postdoctoral research positions at the University of Leeds and the University of Tasmania, continuing to develop mathematical and computational models of glacier flow.

More broadly, I am interested in fracture mechanics, continuum mechanics, the anisotropic flow of polycrystalline ice, finite element methods and high-performance scientific computing. My goal is to develop new mathematical models that improve our understanding of the processes governing the evolution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and help provide more reliable projections of future sea-level rise.

Publications from NERC Open Research Archive

2026

Richards, Daniel H. ORCID record for Richards, Daniel H.. Mantelli, Elisa ORCID record for Mantelli, Elisa. Pegler, Samuel S. Piazolo, Sandra ORCID record for Piazolo, Sandra. (2026) A unified framework for large-scale fabric evolution models and anisotropic rheologies.

Rathmann, Nicholas M. Lilien, David A. Richards, Daniel H. McCormack, Felicity S. Montagnat, Maurine. (2026) Rheological control of crystal fabrics on Antarctic ice shelves.

1. BAS takes leading role at SCAR science conference in Oslo

   Our Antarctic experts attend the SCAR Open Science Conference in Oslo, sharing their latest findings and shaping plans for future collaboration.

   Read more of: BAS takes leading role at SCAR science conference in Oslo